Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

I thought I would introduce myself tonight, since with a temp of 3 degrees and a -24 wind chill, I am too wimpy to venture out for a ride. I hope to become more active here, and hope that sharing my goals will make me more accountable to them.

I'm a 30-something Athena who started cycling in 2009. At that time, I went from about 290 lbs in Jan down to about 220 by August, but then got hit by a car and lost my momentum. Couldn't walk for 4 months, although I resumed riding in about 3.5.

In 2010 I started commuting and bought a 2nd bike, and hit 2000 mi for the year. In 2011 I bought appropriate winter gear and studs and learned to ride year-round, topping 3000 for the year. In 2012 I aimed for 5000, but life got in the way about March, and crisis followed crisis... So I ended up taking 9 months off. Oops.

My weight had stayed in the 230-240 range while I was riding regularly, but in 9 months of bikelessness creeped back to about 290. Funny how that works. I also just don't feel as good as I do when I have better fitness. More aches and pains, so winded.

I made a goal for 2013 to get back in the habit, and hit 5000 for sure. I've got some secondary goals, like to ride a century someday. I've done some rides up to about 70 mi, but those take me about 7 hrs, and I feel like I need to get a bit faster/better. My general goal is to get into riding first, then nutrition will follow. I am not good at sticking to diets that leave me starved, but I find when I exercise I crave better fuel than I do when sitting on the couch. Miles is the goal, weight loss is the hoped-for side effect.

I made a new years resolution, but January wasn't so good to me. I caught the flu, and was out of commission for over 2 weeks, and am still coughing. The days I felt good enough to ride, were bad weather. I have a trainer, but get so bored. There was only one day I attempted commuting, but my chain broke halfway there, and had to make the call of shame for a ride from my boss (first time ever). In total I rode about 100 miles in Jan, was planning on 300 at least for the month. February will be better. I just have to keep the motivation up. Even when its 3 degrees out.

You have accomplished some impressive commuting mileage in past years, I salute you! I started last year and topped 1000 miles, and I know what kind of commitment and effort that takes. Your past totals are awesome, and I hope you do more of the same.

I personally would rather do a commute than a recreational ride (I love the satisfaction factor) and a crappy weather outdoor ride than any indoor ride. I have found that midweight merino wool shirts and leggings and a good balaclava go a long way to making single digits °F workable for my 6 mile commute.

On the food end, if you can find fuel that is both satisfying and healthy, that could be a good start. I like homemade granola with oats and almonds. It is satisfying and heart-healthy, although not low-cal.

I personally would rather do a commute than a recreational ride (I love the satisfaction factor) and a crappy weather outdoor ride than any indoor ride.

Totally. I just have to convince myself of that in the morning, when I have to get up an hour earlier to ride. 16 miles uphill in the morn takes 90 minutes by bike, 30 by car. 16 miles downhill in the evening takes about an hour by bike or car, due to traffic. I love seeing cars stopped or barely moving for a mile or more, and flying past them in the bike lane. I'm always glad I did it, but finding motivation in a nice warm bed is tough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluish Green

On the food end, if you can find fuel that is both satisfying and healthy, that could be a good start. I like homemade granola with oats and almonds. It is satisfying and heart-healthy, although not low-cal..

My biking history is a lot like yours.
Goals and achievments in 2009, 2010 and 2011 now nada. zero, nothing.
My bike looks real cool siting there in the trainer, all ready to ride.

I've been 250 forever, (about 10 years) but my weight has gone up 1 lb per week for the last 3 weeks.
I can't ignore it.

Just had a lunch of Sushi. I think that is pretty good. Not a calorie counter so don't know for sure.
Now I'm going out for a walk with my girlfriend. Stop for coffee. no sugar, and no apple fritter to go with the coffee.

Welcome Having been through all kinds of cycle cycles, you will be back stronger than you think quicker than the first time. What kind of diet did you follow to lose the weight the first time if I can be so bold?

My biking history is a lot like yours.
Goals and achievments in 2009, 2010 and 2011 now nada. zero, nothing.
My bike looks real cool siting there in the trainer, all ready to ride.

I've been 250 forever, (about 10 years) but my weight has gone up 1 lb per week for the last 3 weeks.
I can't ignore it.

Just had a lunch of Sushi. I think that is pretty good. Not a calorie counter so don't know for sure.
Now I'm going out for a walk with my girlfriend. Stop for coffee. no sugar, and no apple fritter to go with the coffee.

Welcome Having been through all kinds of cycle cycles, you will be back stronger than you think quicker than the first time. What kind of diet did you follow to lose the weight the first time if I can be so bold?

One thing I did was get Seattle Sutton meals. Not all the time, but for a "jump start" and occasional reminder of how to eat. They have real food, fresh not frozen, including fruits and veggies (some meals would include a small salad, etc). It usually had bread or pasta or something, but just small portions of those, and huge portions of veggies, and usually chicken or fish. I got their 1200 cal plan, but usually added a little something and had more like 1500. Later, on my own, I would try to model my diet on it, as far as having more fruits and veggies, less carbs, etc, small portions of meat, just a taste of cheese, etc. And I would count calories. I would allow a little more after long rides.
.

Welcome slowpedaller ya teaser.
You say you have two bikes and some good mileage and we don't even read what kind of bikes or see any frame what's up with that?
Show some frame girl.

Ha, good point. I'm a liar too. I have 3 bikes. The first is the one I neglected in my count, and the one I bought at a garage sale for one dollar. It's purple and says roadmaster, I'm sure its some cheap department store thing. I added brakes and cables, and rode it for probably my first 3-4 months, and a few hundred miles before getting a "real" bike. Mostly it takes up space, and I sometimes take it if I want to ride rougher or muddy trails, since I don't have a mtn bike yet. It takes a lot of abuse, and never gave me as much as a flat tire. If I ever get a mountain bike, maybe can get rid of this beauty at another garage sale. Maybe I can even get my full dollar back!

When I wanted a "real" bike, I tried a bike store near me, not knowing at all what I wanted, or much about bikes at all, and got insulted and laughed at, and told any decent bike would be crushed under my weight. I didn't understand half the lingo they threw at me, and when I asked questions, they just sighed and rolled their eyes and looked at each other. There was one that MIGHT work, they said. It cost 1800, I don't recall what it was. But they really seemed to think I was very stupid for thinking I could ride a bike. I decided to look online rather than suffer the same humiliation at another shop, and bought a cyclocross bike, the Motobecane Fantom CX. I LOVE this bike. I instantly felt like it was an extension of my body, and it can do anything. It handles and moves just how I want it to, all the time. It's got fenders and a rack because its my commuter.

I decided to get a road bike, and decided since my last Motobecane worked out so well, I'd get another, a Sprint. I got a fairly nice one, with Ultegra, a triple crank, carbon fork, etc. Its pretty light. It goes very fast. It handles great. Somehow I always feel like its a delicate flower, and I have to be very careful with it. I've had to true the wheels every time I hit a good bump, and the derailler needs fixing from time to time. Honestly, I know parents aren't supposed to tell their kids which one is their favorite, but luckily I just have dogs and always tell them which is my favorite and which I will strangle in his sleep. I say it in a happy voice, and he doesn't care at all. I assume bikes are the same way. For some reason, the Fantom is my favorite despite being the middle child. The Sprint is a good fit and all, I don't have any discomfort or anything, but I always feel like I'm riding on top of it, rather than being one with the bike.